South Carolina Violence in the Workplace: What you need to know

Many states have passed laws for preventing violence in the workplace. South Carolina has enacted such a law.

Use of Deadly Force

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The Protection of Persons and Property Actauthorizes the use of deadly force under certain circumstances and in certain locations, including places of business. The Act authorizes the lawful use of deadly force against an intruder or attacker in a person’s dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle. It provides that there is no duty to retreat if:

The person is in a place where he has a right to be, including the person’s place of business,

The person is not engaged in an unlawful activity, and

The use of deadly force is necessary to prevent death, great bodily injury, or the commission of a violent crime.

A person who lawfully uses deadly force is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless the person against whom deadly force was used is a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of his official duties and he identifies himself in accordance with applicable law, or the person using deadly force knows or reasonably should have known the person is a law enforcement officer.

Concealed Weapons

State law allows both public and private employers to prohibit a person who is licensed from carrying a concealable weapon onto the premises of the business or workplace or while using any machinery, vehicle, or equipment owned or operated by the business. Employers may post a sign stating "No Concealable Weapons Allowed." Such posting constitutes sufficient notice to prohibit a licensed person from carrying a concealed weapon onto workplace premises (SC Code Sec. 23-31-220).

Sign requirements. Signs prohibiting the carrying of a concealable weapon must be posted at ...